Best time to cruise · Shoulder season
Western Mediterranean cruises in November
Most big ships cross the Atlantic early in the month, often leaving from Barcelona or Civitavecchia on repositioning voyages that double as an inexpensive way home. Those that stay find cool, sometimes wet weather in the low 60s °F (16–18°C) and the region at its most local: new olive oil, roasted chestnuts and no queue at Pisa.
- Shoulder season
- Avg high 65°F
- 10 hrs daylight
Western Mediterranean in November: Shoulder season
Most big ships cross the Atlantic early in the month, often leaving from Barcelona or Civitavecchia on repositioning voyages that double as an inexpensive way home. Those that stay find cool, sometimes wet weather in the low 60s °F (16–18°C) and the region at its most local: new olive oil, roasted chestnuts and no queue at Pisa.
Across Western Mediterranean cruise ports, November brings average highs around 65°F (18°C) and lows near 57°F, with about 3.7 inches of rain over the month and roughly 10 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Shoulder season
- Season
- April to early November; MSC and Costa sail year-round
- Average high / low
- 65°F / 57°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 3.7 in
- Daylight
- About 10 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 7 nights is standard; 10–12 nights adds southern Spain, Sicily or Malta
What to pack: warm-weather clothes with layers: shorts and light pants, a sweater or light jacket for breezy evenings on deck, and comfortable walking shoes.
How November compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: Shoulder season
- Feb: Shoulder season
- Mar: Shoulder season
- Apr: Good time to go
- May: Best time to go
- Jun: Best time to go
- Jul: Good time to go
- Aug: Good time to go
- Sep: Best time to go
- Oct: Good time to go
- Nov: Shoulder season
- Dec: Shoulder season
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Western Mediterranean weather in November
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 5714 | 5815 | 6116 | 6518 | 7122 | 7926 | 8530 | 8630 | 8026 | 7323 | 6518 | 6016 |
| Low °F (°C) | 4910 | 5010 | 5211 | 5513 | 6116 | 6921 | 7424 | 7524 | 7021 | 6418 | 5714 | 5211 |
| Rain in (mm) | 1.949 | 2.051 | 2.461 | 1.846 | 2.051 | 1.129 | 0.616 | 1.128 | 2.050 | 3.282 | 3.793 | 2.357 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 |
November weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barcelona | 67°F | 51°F | 2.7 in | 10 h |
| Rome | 64°F | 57°F | 4.6 in | 10 h |
| Naples | 66°F | 53°F | 4.5 in | 10 h |
| Livorno (for Florence & Pisa) | 63°F | 59°F | 4.3 in | 10 h |
| Villefranche-sur-Mer (for Nice) | 62°F | 58°F | 4.3 in | 10 h |
| La Spezia (for Cinque Terre) | 61°F | 54°F | 4.5 in | 10 h |
| Palma de Mallorca | 66°F | 62°F | 2.9 in | 10 h |
| Marseille | 63°F | 47°F | 3.1 in | 10 h |
| Valletta | 70°F | 67°F | 3.5 in | 10 h |
| Monte Carlo | 62°F | 58°F | 4.3 in | 10 h |
| Málaga | 67°F | 60°F | 2.4 in | 10 h |
| Cádiz (for Seville) | 68°F | 58°F | 2.8 in | 10 h |
Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.
Other great cruise destinations in November
- Mexican Riviera & Baja in November
- Galápagos Islands in November
- Canary Islands & Atlantic Isles in November
- Japan in November
- Australia & New Zealand in November
- Africa & the Indian Ocean in November
- Transatlantic in November
- Nile River in November
- Mekong River in November
See every destination for November, with a port weather map →
Western Mediterranean in November: FAQs
Is November a good time to cruise Western Mediterranean?
It can be, as a shoulder-season month. Most big ships cross the Atlantic early in the month, often leaving from Barcelona or Civitavecchia on repositioning voyages that double as an inexpensive way home. Those that stay find cool, sometimes wet weather in the low 60s °F (16–18°C) and the region at its most local: new olive oil, roasted chestnuts and no queue at Pisa.
What is the weather like on a Western Mediterranean cruise in November?
Across Western Mediterranean cruise ports, November brings average highs around 65°F (18°C) and lows near 57°F, with about 3.7 inches of rain over the month and roughly 10 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Western Mediterranean cruise in November?
Pack warm-weather clothes with layers: shorts and light pants, a sweater or light jacket for breezy evenings on deck, and comfortable walking shoes. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Western Mediterranean?
April to early November; MSC and Costa sail year-round. The best months are usually May, June, September.
Where else can I cruise in November?
November is also a top month for Mexican Riviera & Baja, Galápagos Islands, Canary Islands & Atlantic Isles, Japan, Australia & New Zealand.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.